Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Steve McCabe Excerpts
Tuesday 6th May 2014

(10 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Simon Hughes Portrait The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Simon Hughes)
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I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s continuing interest in this issue. I hope that we will be able to publish something before we break for the summer and elicit responses after that.

Steve McCabe Portrait Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)
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Has the Secretary of State looked at the damages awarded to triple killer Kevan Thakrar? Does he have any plans to change the rules so that serious offenders cannot profit from such compensation claims?

Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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I regarded that as wholly unacceptable. It is a case that we defended in court, but, unfortunately, the judge reached a different view. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have made sure that there is no possibility of somebody in that position receiving legal aid to pursue such a case. I have also asked my officials to look at any other ways we have to make it more difficult for prisoners to pursue such a case.